Monrovia Losing Green Dot Corporation in Early September

Green Dot Corporation, a leading provider of prepaid debit cards, will be moving out of Monrovia by Labor Day, September 3, according to a source who wished to remain anonymous. The company is reportedly moving to a building in east Pasadena, near the PetSmart/Best Buy shopping center on Foothill just east of Sierra Madre Villa. The company is currently located at the northwest corner of Huntington and Shamrock.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Council Member Becky Shevlin Joins Real Estate Firm

Monrovia City Council member Becky Shevlin joins Podley Properties real estate. http://goo.gl/s8IQJ

- Brad Haugaard

The Gold Line Environmental Impact Report and How to Comment on It

The Gold Line's draft environmental impact report has been released for the extension of the rail line to Montclair (assuming there is money for that part of the line). Here is the report, http://goo.gl/a6dar , along with details about how to comment on it.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Green Dot Working With Sallie Mae

Monrovia's Green Dot is providing prepaid debit cards for Sallie Mae,
the nation's main financial services company specializing in
education. http://goo.gl/wdxsB

The company's stock took a 10.55% jump. http://goo.gl/lzC0f

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino's Vanity Plate Bill Goes to Governor

A bill by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (who represents part of
Monrovia) to eliminate cut-rate prices for legislator's vanity license
plates has been unanimously approved by the Assembly and sent to
Governor Jerry Brown. http://goo.gl/F03LV

- Brad Haugaard

Portantino Demands 710 Freeway be Stopped

Assembly ember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is
demanding that any further work on the 710 freeway project be stopped.
http://goo.gl/xBf9I

- Brad Haugaard

Free Monrovia Leadership Training

Free six-week Monrovia Area Partnership Leadership Academy. It will
guide you through local government, community resources and your
potential as a leader. http://goo.gl/Rhk9w

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical Consolidates Manufacturing in Monrovia

Monrovia's STAAR Surgical is consolidating its manufacturing in Monrovia, leasing a 26,000 square foot building immediately adjacent to its current facility to accommodate the consolidation and as provide for growth. The lease is for eight years, beginning approximately at the end of November 2012, assuming all contingencies are met. STAAR Surgical makes implantable lenses for the eye. http://goo.gl/JB9PE

- Brad Haugaard

Dry Lightning Possible Tonight To Wednesday Evening

Red flag warning in effect from midnight tonight until 5 p.m. Wednesday for dry lightning and gusty winds. http://goo.gl/Y7RvY

- Brad Haugaard

Gold Line Will Look for Other Money to Complete Rail Line | Full Freeway Closures Ahead | Huff Supports Film Industry Tax Relief

~ Gold Line Construction Authority Habib Balian reports that for the Azusa to Montclair phase of the rail line, "the Construction Authority will seek out other funding sources as we advance the preliminary engineering, planning and design." Other sources would be required, he said, because it appears Measure R funds will not be used for that purpose. In preparation, he said the Authority has released a draft environmental impact report on the the Azusa to Montclair phase of the line. Source: press release

~ The eastbound and westbound 210 will be completely closed August 28 and 29 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day. Also, the eastbound will be fully closed August 30 from midnight to 5 a.m. The closures are to begin the process of removing the temporary supporting structure for the bridge. There will be 20 full eastbound freeway closures in the next six weeks. Source: press release

~ Video: Senator Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) supports a two-year extension of tax credits for the film and television industry to persuade them do do filming in California. http://goo.gl/xrnKF

- Brad Haugaard

Senator Bob Huff Predicts 30-Year Wait for Completion of Gold Line, Opposes Extension of Measure R Sales Tax

Video: Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (who represents Monrovia) comes out against the proposed extension of the Measure R sales tax to fund mass transit, saying the R-extension does not provide money to complete the Gold Line to Claremont, as promised in 2008. He said that "if the extension is approved by voters, it will mean a 30-year delay or more for the Foothill Extension of the Gold Line from Pasadena to Claremont." http://goo.gl/j8D6c

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia's Golden Girl | Golden Plate

~ Monrovia's Golden Girl, a feature article about Olympian Kim Rhode. http://goo.gl/HP1BD

~ Monrovia's Foothill Unity Center will hold its 14th Golden Plate Awards on Friday, September 21, at the Pasadena Convention Center. Details: http://goo.gl/Husna

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High Band Room to Close

The Monrovia High Band and Colorguard has announced on its Facebook page that the band will have to leave the MHS Band Room, which will be "closed indefinitely" because it is not earthquake safe. "The band program and all its ensembles and classes will continue on schedule. The current plan is to move all classes, equipment and assets to our new 'temporary' home."

- Brad Haugaard

Huff Lists 'Job Killer' Bills Being Considered by Legislature

Senator Bob Huff, who represents Monrovia, lists "five 'Job Killer' bills" the California state legislature is considering: http://goo.gl/WDOoD

- Brad Haugaard

Maryknoll Card Party | Monrovia Y Corn Toss

~ Monrovia's Maryknoll Sisters is holding a Fall Harvest Fundraiser Luncheon/Card Party September 11 beginning at 10 a.m. with luncheon ($15) at noon. Drawings and door prizes. Call 358-1825 for reservations.

~ The Monrovia Y is sponsoring a "Corn Toss" on Saturday, September 29 beginning at 3 p.m. at Monrovia Tennis Club, 158 N. Sunset. A corn toss is "a fun and exciting game similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called Corn To9ss platforms and corn/bean bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes." $50 per player. Interested in participating? Contact Jim ward at jim@wardservice.com

- Brad Haugaard